340B Program New Developments and Increasing Scrutiny

Transcription

1 340B Program New Developments and Increasing Scrutiny Todd Nova Hall Render Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Hospital Finance Workshop August 24, 2012 What We Will Cover 2 1

2 340B Program - Overview 340B: High Level HRSA: Section 340B limits the cost of covered outpatient drugs sold to certain federal grantees, FQHCs and hospitals. The purpose of the 340B Program is to enable these entities to stretch scarce federal resources, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services B Program - Overview Estimated Savings: 25%-50% of a drug s Average Wholesale Price Manufacturers that want to receive Medicaid payment for drugs required to enter into PPA May not condition 340B discounts upon a Covered Entity's assurance of compliance with 340B Program provisions 340B Program benefits access expansion 4 2

3 340B Program Participation Number of Covered Entity Sites Participating Number of Contract Pharmacy Arrangements (proj) 2013 (proj) 12,639 13,285 14,258 15,530 16,869 18,176 19,736 1,799 2,088 2,483 6,099 8,318 11,236 14,153 Covered Entity Sites ( ): + 43% Source: Health Resources and Services Administration, January B Program Participation 16,000 14,000 12,000 10,000 8,000 6,000 4,000 2,000 0 Number of Contract Pharmacy Arrangements (proj) (proj) Number of Contract Pharmacy Arrangements Contract Pharmacies ( ): + 687% Source: Health Resources and Services Administration, January

4 340B Program Participation According to GAO (2011 Report): 7 Legacy Covered Entities LEGACY Covered Entities Include: FQHCs DSH hospitals 340B Program - Expansions Government or Non-profit with a contract with a State or local government to provide health care services to low income individuals who are not entitled to benefits under Medicare or Medicaid > 11.75% disproportionate share adjustment percentage 8 4

5 340B Program - Expansions New Covered Entities NEW Covered Entities Include: Children s or Freestanding Cancer Hospitals but must meet all requirements applicable to (d) hospitals (see above) SCHs or RRCs Government or Non-Profit with a contract with state or local government to provide care to non-medicare/caid patient; AND DSH Payment Percentage >= 8% (not 11.75%) RRC is, not was (not grandfathered) 9 340B Program - Expansions NEW Covered Entities Also Include: CAHs Government or Non-Profit with a contract with state or local government to provide care to non-medicare/caid patients No DSH Payment Percentage requirements 10 5

6 340B Program Orphan Drugs Orphan Drug Issue Affordable Care Act contained a restriction on the use of Orphan Drugs by New Covered Entities. Restriction includes: SCH RRC CAH B Program Orphan Drugs Orphan Drug Issue (Cont.) Drug is designated by FDA as an orphan drug at request of sponsor if FDA finds that the drug is being or will be investigated for a rare disease or condition Orphan drug must have received FDA marketing approval to meet the definition of 340B covered outpatient drugs Some of the restricted 340B entities are large orphan drug users 12 6

7 340B Program Orphan Drugs Orphan Drug Issue (Cont.) Some manufacturers waiting for Federal policy before taking action Other manufacturers have indicated will stop selling orphan drugs through 340B Program to newly-eligible entities - whether or not used for purpose related to orphan status Affordable Care Act NPRM Issued May 20, 2011 (comments deadline passed) Proposed rule would limit the prohibition to uses for the rare disease or condition for which the orphan drug was designated Non-orphan / common indication uses would be permitted B Program - Expansions 14 7

8 340B Program - Implementation How to Obtain 340B Status? Apply to HRSA Office of Pharmacy Affairs to obtain approval DSH % based on most recently filed cost report See Wksht E, Pt. A, Ln. 8 The new DSH List that OPA is posting is based on the 2007 SSI Ratio that has been provided by CMS B Program - Implementation How to Obtain 340B Status? New Quarterly Enrollment Schedule Covered Entities, OP facilities, Contract Pharmacy Arrangements New deadlines: Registration Period Start Date October 1 - October 15 January 1 January 1 - January 15 April 1 April 1 - April 15 July 1 July 1 - July 15 October 1 Prior deadlines: Registration Deadline Start Date 16 December 1 January 1 March 1 April 1 June 1 July 1 September 1 October 1 8

9 340B Program - Scope 340B Scope and Applicability Covered Drugs purchased by Covered Entity at a 340B discount and dispensed to Eligible Patients, reimbursed by payors in ordinary course of business B Program - Implementation Covered Drugs Program Drugs Only for a Covered Entity s Outpatients Outpatient drugs FDA-approved prescription drug Prescribed OTC drug Biologicals that can be dispensed only by prescription FDA-approved insulin Excludes vaccines BUT NOT Orphan Drugs 18 9

10 340B Program - Implementation What is an Eligible Patient? Program NOT limited to Medicare, Medicaid or low income patients Any patient of a Covered Entity may receive covered O/P drugs purchased under the 340B Program But, Covered Entity must Maintain control of the patient s medical records Maintain primary responsibility for patient s care B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Patient? (Cont.) Definition of a Patient from HRSA Website (and 1996 Guidance): Individual is a "patient" of a covered entity only if: Covered entity has established a relationship with the individual, such that covered entity maintains records of the individual's health care; and Individual receives health care services from health care professional who is either employed by the covered entity or provides health care under contractual or other arrangements (e.g. referral for consultation) such that responsibility for care provided remains with covered entity 20 10

11 340B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Patient? (Cont.) Questions related to HRSA proposed 2007 guidance: Use of word arrangement Use of word clarification Exact scope of nexus? Referral for care provided ongoing responsibility for service remains with covered entity Care referred for the same condition 12 month rule Analysis is highly fact-specific B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Patient? (Cont.) According to HRSA New EP Definition is being developed NOTE: HRSA public statement (Lt. Cmdr. Hardin) that 1996 definition is current guidance. BUT then note statement that pending guidance Clarifies previous FR Notices of 1996 and

12 340B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Facility? Program discount extends to all main campus and provider-based location patients Definition of Covered Entity refers to the provider-based rules Patient must be treated at a facility that is provider-based to the Covered Entity Generally - sites must be within a 35 mile radius of the Covered Entity s main campus (some exceptions) Register sites with OPA Remember quarterly enrollment process when preparing pro forma for new or prospective sites B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Facility? (Cont.) Any outpatient facility which is an integral component of a DSH will be included on the MCR and therefore eligible for 340B pricing (1994 guidance) What does included mean? HRSA position = As-filed Federal Register language = included on the hospital s Medicare cost report Statutory language = hospital and patient of the entity 24 12

13 340B Program Implementation What is an Eligible Facility? (Cont.) 2007 Proposed Guidance: Reference to provider-based regulations Ultimately, the facility s provider-based status must be reflected in the covered entity s Medicare Cost Report." Covered entity may provide a copy of the attestation pursuant to 42 CFR to demonstrate compliance until such time as the facility is listed on the [MCR]. 25 this clarification provides covered entities with more explicit guidance 340B Program Implementation 26 13

14 340B Program Contract Pharmacies Contract Pharmacies No distance or proximity limitation on contract pharmacy arrangements No (longer a) limit on number of contract pharmacy arrangements Covered Entity responsibility to comply particularly important to remember for contract pharmacy arrangements B Program Contract Pharmacies Contract Pharmacies (Cont.) Challenges: Diversion tracking Audits & records Discount management and tracking Data exchange Inventory management Pharmacist/Pharmacy services scope Advertising/marketing approval Business terms (payment risk, dispensing fees) 28 14

15 29 Intent of 340B According to HRSA: Permit covered entities to stretch scarce Federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services. H.R. Rep. No (II), at 12 (1992) 30 15

16 Issues to Track Medicaid duplicate discounts Medicaid patients may be excluded Who is a patient? What is a facility? Compliance with state laws Contract pharmacy commingling Contract pharmacy patient tracking Data exchange (PHI, remote hosting, etc.) 31 How do I Track? Methods used to ensure compliance with Program standards Up to the Covered Entity Program and non-program drug stock Need not be physically separated (generally - not all states) Main obligation for Covered Entities 32 Maintain auditable records that can be used to prove 340B drugs used only for covered outpatients 16

17 New Penalties (for CEs) Affordable Care Act statutory updates Consistent with HRSA guidance issued December 1996 Clearer program integrity standards 33 New Penalties (CEs) (Cont.) In addition to repaying discount, provisions addressing provider-related enforcement options provide for the following remedies "in appropriate cases as determined by the [HRSA] Secretary : 34 17

18 New Penalties (CEs) (Cont.) Where a covered entity knowingly and intentionally diverts Covered Drugs: Required to pay monetary penalty to applicable manufacturer Forfeiture of the discount received for the inappropriately dispensed drug(s), plus interest thereon What does this mean? 35 New Penalties (CEs) (Cont.) Where diversion of Covered Drugs was systematic and egregious as well as knowing and intentional: Covered Entity may be removed from the 340B Program and be disqualified from re-entry into the 340B Program "for a reasonable period of time to be determined by the Secretary." What does this mean? 36 18

19 New Penalties (CEs) (Cont.) Notwithstanding the foregoing, HRSA may also: Refer matters to appropriate Federal authorities within the FDA, the HHS OIG, or other Federal agencies for consideration of appropriate action under other Federal statutes, (e.g., PDMA) 37 Program Integrity Increased Scrutiny 38 19

20 GAO Report 9/23/2011 GAO report critical of 340B Program oversight "HRSA s current guidance on the definition of a 340B patient is sometimes not specific enough to define situations under which an individual is considered a patient of a covered entity for the purposes of 340B and thus, covered entities could interpret it either too broadly or too narrowly. 39 GAO Report 9/23/2011 GAO report critical of 340B Program oversight This lack of clarity has led "covered entities and drug manufacturers... [to] raise concerns that the guidance will be interpreted too broadly, leading to cases of unintended diversion that is, using 340B drugs for individuals who HRSA did not intend as eligible patients, but who may not be clearly prohibited in the guidance." 40 20

21 Sen. Grassley Statement 11/9/2011 press release issued by Sen. Chuck Grassley "With the lack of oversight, the taxpayers through state and federal governments could be grossly overpaying for prescription drugs and not know it, and that situation could continue to accelerate. 41 HRSA Administration Letter 2/10/2012 Letter to Covered Entities The [HHS] Program Integrity Initiative is designed to target the greatest risks of fraud, waste and abuse During FY 2012, HRSA will: Conduct selective audits Increase oversight of manufacturer pricing Issue policy releases Implement an annual recertification process Growing support for more 340B Program oversight 42 21

22 Joint Congress/Senate Letters 3/5/2012 Letters to 340B Program Groups - Manufacturer, Hospital, Prime Vendor From: Congressman Pitts Senator Hatch Senator Enzi Senator Grassley 43 Joint Congress/Senate Letters Hospital/SNHPA Letter Of greatest concern is the GAO finding that, the 340B program has increasingly been used in settings, such as hospitals, where the risk of improper purchase of 340B drugs is greater

23 Joint Congress/Senate Letters Hospital/SNHPA Letter Information request for all documents (including meeting minutes) provided to SNHPA members addressing: Eligible Patient definition Outpatient site eligibility Virtual inventory Contract pharmacies ACO applicability On the Bubble discussions 45 Joint Congress/Senate Letters PhRMA Letter Looking for information regarding diversion: Are you aware of any examples of diversion? If so, please identify them and provide any supporting materials. Are you aware of any audits of covered entities conducted by drug manufacturers? If so, please provide details on what companies conducted such audits and which covered entities were involved. Also questions designed to confirm that discounts are in fact being provided

24 Senate Letter UAB Letter - 5/10/2012 Letter from Senator Grassley to the President of the University of Alabama Hospital. Of greatest concern is the GAO finding that, the 340B program has increasingly been used in settings, such as hospitals, where the risk of improper purchase of 340B drugs is greater. 47 Senate Letter UAB Letter - 5/10/2012 Letter from Senator Grassley to the President of the University of Alabama Hospital. On February 16, 2011, Donna Evans, R. Ph., Senior Pharmacist, with University of Alabama (UAB) Hospital gave a presentation at the 340B Annual Conference in San Diego, California. In this presentation Ms. Evans states that the purpose of the Purchasing Committee is, among other things, to maximize savings opportunities

25 Senate Letter UAB Letter - 5/10/2012 Letter from Senator Grassley to the President of the University of Alabama Hospital. Ms. Evans presentation goes on to state that UAB Hospital tracks the top drug expenses for possible change in admission[s] process. Ms. Evans s presentation is deeply concerning. The recommendation to change an individual s admissions status or their treatment can have serious health consequences and should be based on a medical determination of what is best for the patient. Detailed information request to assess and quantify UAB 340B Program processes and impacts. 49 HRSA Letter 7/18/2012 Letter to the HRSA Administrator from Congressmen Pitts and Cassidy. Requesting issuance of an updated Eligible Patient definition. The outdated definition of a 340B patient has contributed to growing concerns with the integrity of the 340B program

26 HRSA Letter 7/18/2012 Letter to the HRSA Administrator from Congressmen Pitts and Cassidy. Requesting issuance of an updated Eligible Patient definition. While the program has grown dramatically, [there has been] little guidance from HRSA on the program s intent. (GAO report quote) guidance on program requirements often lacks the necessary level of specificity to provide clear direction, making participants ability to self-police difficult and raising concerns that the guidance may be interpreted in ways inconsistent with the agency s intent. 51 HRSA Letter 7/18/2012 Letter to the HRSA Administrator from Congressmen Pitts and Cassidy. Requesting issuance of an updated Eligible Patient definition. Information received to date from various stakeholders reflects a program that has diverted from its original intent. Requesting that new definition ensures the program s eligibility is for those truly in need and curbs any misuse of the program

27 HRSA Audits HRSA announced Covered Entity audits to begin in January/February of 2012 Purpose: to confirm compliance with applicable 340B Program standards Audit results expected 2 to 3 months after completion 53 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance Random targeted audits Will include a "thorough investigation of policies and procedures, [and a] review of auditable records and system compliance to prevent diversion and duplicate discounts. 340B issues also to be addressed in A-133 audits 54 27

28 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance Will evaluate: Covered Entity eligibility status Eligible patient definitions Contract pharmacy implementation mechanisms Group purchasing organization exclusion Drug diversion Prohibition on duplicate Medicaid discounts 55 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance HRSA stated that the audit protocol will be made publicly available at some point in the future Would assist in preparing for potential audits Would provide useful guidance regarding 340B Program standards We re still waiting No audit standards released 56 28

29 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance Covered Entities at highest risk of being audited will be: Those "[with] higher program risk due to volume of purchases, [with] increased complexity of program administration, and [who] use contract pharmacies." Audits also triggered by allegations of 340B Program violations 57 Not just whistleblowers - manufacturers or covered entities themselves 58 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance Audit process: Pre-audit review of Covered Entity policy and procedure documentation Confirmation of implementation mechanisms during onsite audit includes sample testing of 340B covered drug transactions Exit interview - will share preliminary findings and address areas of concern OPA will to review findings and discuss with Covered Entity any corrective actions or disciplinary procedures 29

30 HRSA Audits March 5 and June 19, 2012 HRSA Program Notice and Audit Guidance Risk Factors: High outpatient volumes (relatively?) Large-scale contract pharmacy implementations (relatively?) Audit guidance - Contract pharmacies to be involved also Take Aways: How to address prior to release of audit guidelines and results? 59 Annual Recertification Authorized Officials certify that Hospital: Has continuously met all 340B Program eligibility requirements since being listed as eligible on the 340B database; Complies with all requirements and restrictions of the Program Maintains auditable records 60 30

31 Annual Recertification Authorized Officials certify that Hospital: Has systems/mechanisms in place to reasonably ensure ongoing compliance with Program requirements Contract pharmacy arrangements performed in accordance with OPA requirements Obtains sufficient information from the contractor to ensure compliance with applicable policy and legal requirements Utilizes an appropriate methodology to ensure compliance (e.g., through an independent audit or other mechanism) 61 Annual Recertification Authorized Officials certify that Hospital: Acknowledges its responsibility to contact OPA as soon as reasonably possible if there is any material breach by the hospital of any of the foregoing; and Acknowledges that it may be required to remit payment back to manufacturers which would represent the difference between the 340B discounted price and the drug s non-340b purchase price

32 Annual Recertification Authorizing Official Attestation Statement Key Language: I further acknowledge the hospital s responsibility to notify [HRSA] immediately if there is a material change in the 340B eligibility of any facility or information listed on the 340B Database B AND ACOs 340B Eligibility and ACOs May 23, 2012 HRSA Program Notice Inclusion of a Covered Entity within an ACO does not make entire ACO eligible for receiving Covered Drugs ACO associated entities must independently satisfy the Program eligibility requirements to access discounted drugs ACO Final Rule states that Covered Entities are prohibited from purchasing or transferring drugs to non-340b entities and patients of non-340b providers, including those which are part of an ACO

33 Non-Discrimination by Manufacturers November 21, 2011 HRSA Policy Statement and May 23, 2012 HRSA Program Notice: Where available supply of a covered drug is not adequate to meet market demands, manufacturers may develop alternate allocation procedures Must demonstrate that 340B providers are treated same as non-340b providers Prior (1994) HRSA guidance May not single out covered entities from other customers for restrictive conditions that would undermine statutory objective 65 May not implement discouraging limitations (e.g., minimum purchase thresholds) Non-Discrimination by Manufacturers (Cont.) November 21, 2011 HRSA Policy Statement and May 23, 2012 HRSA Program Notice: Must notify OPA in writing prior to actual implementation (preferred four weeks) with a plan that includes: Description of product Details including rationale for restriction on all purchases (including non-340b) Plan for notification of wholesalers and Covered Entities If OPA has concerns about plan, will work with the manufacturer to incorporate revisions prior to posting the plan on HRSA/OPA website 66 33

34 Non-Discrimination by Manufacturers (Cont.) OPA will publish all submitted allocation plans on OPA website Covered Entities with plan concerns encouraged to resolve them in good faith with manufacturers Where not resolved, Covered Entities should contact OPA for action or involvement of other federal agencies (e.g., OIG, DOJ) 67 Manufacturer Compliance (340B Pricing) Affordable Care Act NPRM Issued: Comments deadline passed More transparent 340B ceiling prices - covered entities to be granted web access to ceiling prices HRSA to perform spot checks of sales and selective audits of manufacturers and wholesalers Procedures for manufacturer refunds to covered entities if an overcharge occurs Imposition of CMPs (shall not exceed $5,000) for each instance of knowing and intentional overcharges 68 34

35 340B User Fee From Senate Appropriations Committee 2013 Appropriations Bill The Committee includes a provision to institute a new 0.1 percent user fee on 340B discount drugs. The fee is expected to generate $6,000,000 in fiscal year 2013, which will be used to implement program integrity work recommended by GAO and mandated by PPACA. Not adopted 69 Questions? 340B Program New Developments and Increasing Scrutiny Todd Nova Hall Render tnova@hallrender.com Wisconsin Office of Rural Health Hospital Finance Workshop August 24,